Carton divider



M y 1 1947- F. c. oWoom EMT AL 2,420,460

CARTON DIVIDER Filed Feb. 1, 1945 By Q4,

and

Inventor W At torney:

Patented May 13, E947 CARTON DIVIDER Fairbanks C. Bowdoin and Homer L; Medlock, Phoenix, Ariz.

Application February 1, 1945, Serial-N0. 575,632

This invention relates to a carton divider, and more particularly to such device adapted for the dividing, or opening, or separating of cardboard or similar cartons.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved device, whereby a carton may be split in half or otherwise separated without undue damage to the material of which the same is constructed.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device which may be readily and simply associated with a carton, and pro vided with means whereby the carton may be separated in halves or other desired segments, without damage to the interior contents thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and utilize.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective View of the device showing the two parts thereof in disassembled relation.

Figure 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view disclosing portions of the device in association with a carton in the first position of the operation of dividing the same.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but disclosing the device in a different position of adjustment.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing the parts in a still further position of adjustment.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of a constructional element.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the accompanying drawings, the device of the instant invention is comprised of two parts, a block generally indi- 2 cated at band a guide therefor generally indicated at H.

Asbest shown in'Figures 1 and 3, the block it is comprised of a member of generally triangular configuration, provided on one side of the triangle with a slot l9, and having a transverse bore-I2 intersecting the slot at an intermediate point. The slot l0 extends only a portion of the length of its associated side of the triangular member, and terminates in an edge l3 in substantial parallelism to the opposite side of the triangular member. Upon opposite sides of the block, and in alignment with the slot iii are flanges H which serve as guides for the member when associated with the guide H. A blade I5 is adapted to be positioned within the slot Iii, and secured therein, as by a pin iii, passed through the bore 52. The blade I5 is provided with a, cutting edge H, as best shown in Figure 7, which extends downwardly below the lower face of the triangular member Ill, and a slight distance below the lower extremities of the flanges 14.

Having reference now to the guide member 1 l, the same is comprised of an elongated bar having a horizontal slot 20 cut therethrough from a point at one end to a point 2| adjacent its opposite end, which slot 20 is intersected by a vertical slot 22 which extends from a point 23 adjacent one extremity thereof to a point 24 adjacent the termination 2| of the slot 20. As best shown in Figure 2, the slot 22 intersects the slot 20, as shown at 25, and extends below the horizontal level of the slot 20, in order to serve as a guide for the blade member [5.

The sequence of operations of utilizing the device is best disclosed in Figures 4 to 6, inclusive. Here, a carton 2! of any desired type which it is desired to open or divide first has a slit cut into the center or other desired point of an edge thereof, into which the portion of the member H below the slot 29 is inserted to the full extent of the carton. The cutting block I0 is then positioned adjacent the end 23 of the slot 22, the flanges M extending downwardly on either side of the member I I, the blade [5 extending through the slot 22, cutting the material and engaging in the lower portion 25 of the slot 22 beyond the slot 20. When the device is then moved from the position disclosed in full lines in Figure 5 transversely across the carton to the position shown in full lines in Figure 6, it will be readily apparent that that portion or side of the carton is split or divided without any possibility of injury or damage to the contents. Subsequent to this operation, the other three sides of the carton may be similarly cut or divided, and the same will separate into two halves or other desired portions.

From the foregoing, it will now be seen that there is herein provided a device accomplishing all the objects of this invention, and others, in cluding many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance,

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

In a severing tool for sheets and cartons, a knife member, a guide member having a horizontal slot, open at one end, adapted to receive a sheet of material to be cut, a vertical cutter guiding slot terminating at spaced distances from both ends of said guide and extending entirely through the portion. of the guide member above said horizontal slot and only partly through the portion of the guide member below said horizontal slot, said last named portion of the guide constituting thereby a shield and guide for the cut ting edge of the knife member, said knife element comprising a runner slidable upon the top surface of the guide member and having guiding means for positioning the runner upon the guide member, a slot in said runner, aligned with said vertical slot and terminating in a rear wall, inclinedto the lower surface of said runner and the plane of said horizontal slot, a knife blade mounted in said slot with its cutting edge at a predetermined angle to the plane of the slot, and depending from said runner through the vertical slot above the horizontal slot and into the vertical slot below the horizontal slot, an end portion of said knife blade abutting said rear wall, and releasable means securing said blade in said runner.

FAIRBANKS C. BOWDOIN.

HOMER L. MEDLOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the -fi1 of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,343,722 Hosch June 15, 1920 1,895,754 Finkenwirth Jan. 31, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 520,914 Germany Mar. 14, 1931 556,794 Germany Jan. 30, 1933 

